A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
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Leeds
Everything to do, eat, drink and play at Xscape Yorkshire
Bowling, VR experiences, escape rooms and so many foodie options.
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28th June 2022
Everything you could possibly want from a mate or date night, all under one roof.
Located less than half an hour from Leeds city centre you'll find one of Yorkshire's favourite hangout spots to eat-drink-play and everything in between.
Regardless of whether you're looking for an activity to fill a rainy day with the kids; a first or fiftieth date or just a treat that'll keep every single one of your mates entertained, when we say there's plenty to do here - we really do mean it.
There are plenty of choices to fill your day, including screen treats, bowling feats and loads of places for eats. Take your chances in the escape room and see if you can beat the clock or try a round of crazy golf before ending the day with cocktails- the combinations really are endless.
Catching a movie is a must at Cineworld. Grab the obligatory popcorn and unwind with the latest blockbuster movie or experience the world’s first multi-projection immersive cinema auditorium where the 270-degree viewing experience surrounds you in your seat!
Image: Xscape Yorkshire
For those looking for something different, the 4DX cinema is revolutionising the experience and brings special effects like wind, fog and scents into screen- and that’s before you've experienced the high-tech motion seats that truly immerse you in the movie.
If you fancy yourself as a bit of an escape artist, or just want the opportunity to test out your detective skills, The Escapologist is the perfect activity for all ages. Take on one of their four escape rooms and follow it up with one of their delicious mocktails or cocktails in the beautiful bar area – there is even Harry Potter potions for the kids.
Image: The Hoot Leeds / Xscape Yorkshire
There's also plenty of adventures for aspiring Tiger Woods': expect two types of crazy golf, try out 4D glow-in-the-dark Adventure Golf or travel back in time to the pre-historic age at Volcano Falls just watch out for the giant T-Rex.
If that's not enough, there's Gravity Aerial Adventures, Urban Climbing Walls and Trampoline Park; Laser Zone; Snozone; Tenpin Bowling; ImmotionVR and the FunStation games arcade.
Food and Drink offerings
There are some seriously exciting foodie options here too.
For the ultimate burger feast, look no further than Friday's Ultimate Cheese Dipper Burger, it's basically two beef burger patties piled high with a huge gooey offering of cheese, bacon and even some mozzarella sticks between three burger buns.
The Ultimate Cheese Dipper Burger from Fridays. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those looking for the perfect sharing board to end an intimate evening will be drooling over the Ask Italian selection.
Expect cured meats alongside a selection of cheeses and a huge burrata for picking alongside other authentic Italian favourites like pizzas, pastas and salads aplenty.
Antipasti Sharing Board from Ask Italian / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Round off your meal with a dessert from sweet-tooth specialists, Heavenly Desserts.
Whilst Nutella and strawberry on pancakes is that classic sweet treat combo and the perfect end to the week, there's also cookie dough served with milk chocolate sauce and vanilla gelato or a full menu of signature waffles, cheesecake and crumble to choose from- all of which come highly recommended.
Chocolate Crepe from Heavenly Desserts. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If these options aren't enough to satisfy your chosen company, there's still almost 20 different places to grab a bite to eat or drink away the evening at the likes of Bella Italia, Burger King, Dominos, Five Guys, Nando's, Pizza Express, Pollo to Go, Taco Bell and Wetherspoons.
How to get there
Xscape Yorkshire is in Castleford, less than half an hour from Leeds city centre, making it an accessible option for commuters to access day and night, and escape the bustle of the city centre with ease.
If you're driving, leave the M62 at Junction 32 and follow the Xscape signs, you can see the image for car parking spots highlighted in yellow with the overflow carpark highlighted in green.
Follow the dotted line to find parking. / Image: Xscape Yorkshire
At the main roundabout directly in front of the Centre take the 4th exit for our Main Car Park. Postcode WF10 4TA. Car parks highlighted in yellow (overflow green).
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, setlist, stage times and more
Following one of the most iconic returns to music late last year, Lily Allen is heading to Leeds with her West End Girl UK tour.
The 'Nonmonogamummy' herself will be performing at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this weekend, following a run of intimate gig dates up and down the country earlier this year.
The demand for this British pop star to add more dates was inevitable and that's exactly what Allen did, as she now kicks off an arena tour across the UK.
Once wasn’t ‘Just Enough', and we've been blessed new Lily Allen dates, including her gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday 21 June.
Although the 'Smile' singer refrains from playing some of her older smash hits, this gig is still remarkable, with the Hammersmith-born singer performing the previously mentioned tongue-in-cheek LP in full.
Meet us at the ‘Pussy Palace’ for an evening of messy lyrics and quality vocals, fulfilling all of our nosey desires, she even provides text receipts for us to read.
Expect to feel like you’re having your friend relay the truth about their toxic relationship post-break up and then celebrating them finally leaving that loser - Lily just gets us.
Gig Guide | Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds
Lily Allen returns to Leeds for a gig at First Direct Arena. Credit: Henry Redcliffe
Lily Allen UK tour dates
16 June – Newcastle Utilita Arena
17 June – Glasgow OVO Hydro
19 June – Manchester AO Arena
20 June– Manchester AO Arena
21 June – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
23 June – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
24 June – Cardiff Utilita Arena
26 June – Birmingham BP Pulse Live
27 June – London The O2
30 June – Dublin 3Arena
Are there tickets left for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena?
Yes and it’d be a real ‘Shame For You’ to miss out on this one.
On Sunday 21 June you can get seats for £49.85, £66.35, or £88.35, or standing tickets for £66.35 - see the latest HERE.
Seriously, ‘What You Waiting For?’ - get it booked.
Lily's gone for a rather novel support act on her West End Girl tour, which is proving to be quite a laugh at arenas so far.
She's pulled in Dallas Minor Trio to warm up the crowds, a trio of cellists who perform a setlist of Lily Allen's biggest hits from through the years.
And if that's not enough, they put the lyrics on screen too, so it's like a true karaoke moment.
Lily Allen setlist for 2026 tour
The show ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘ will see the singer/songwriter play her brand-new album in its entirety, in the order the songs appear on the record:
West End Girl
Ruminating
Sleepwalking
Tennis
Madeline
Relapse
Pussy Palace
4chan Stan
Nonmonogamummy
Just Enough
Dallas Major
Beg For Me
Let You W/In
Fruityloop
Stage times for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds
Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis
These are the only times that are confirmed, but it's expected that Lily Allen will be on stage around 9pm:
Doors open 6pm
Starts 7.50pm
Getting to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
A slice of New York has arrived in Leeds – and the pizzas are 18 inches wide
Clementine Hall
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
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28th June 2022 
